Last Updated on July 6, 2023 by Will Sabel
Roof racks are easy and secure ways to transport your luggage and other necessary items in your car. But they might give some headaches to car owners. The main concern is – “Can a roof rack damage my car?” “Is it safe to use?”
Yes, roof racks are safe enough as long as you keep the nuts tight and regularly maintained. Yet, there are chances of possible car damage. For instance, if the overall carrying weight exceeds the roof rack limit, then there are chances of car damage. That’s not all; even not detaching the roof rack during a car wash can also leave scratches and dents over your car.
However, all these issues can be looked after if you know the possible preventions. So, in this blog, we’ll let you know all the effective ways that you can follow to ensure your car stays scratch, dent, and damage-proof.
Ways to Prevent Roof Racks from Damaging Your Car?
Here are automotive experts will let you know all the ins and out of how you can prevent roof racks from denting and damaging your vehicle.
Ensure to Lubricate and Tighten the Rack
Regular car movements and vibrations can gradually loosen the rack with time. Therefore, to be on the safe side, you must regularly check whether the rack is fastened well or not.
You also need to make sure that the bolts are lubricated enough. However, keep in mind that you don’t over-tighten the bolts as it can be pretty challenging to loosen them when needed and this can cause damage to your car.
Be Extra Careful While Taking Your Car for a Wash
It’s fine if you don’t have the time to wash your car. However, make sure that you always remove the roof rack before wash. There are chances for the cleaning equipment to get stuck, which can severely damage the roof rack and your car.
So, to prevent such mishaps, we always recommend keeping your roof rack at home or asking the car washer to detach the rack before cleaning.
Don’t OverLoad the Car Rack
One of the significant problems of most car owners is that they tend to overload their roof rack with bags, baggage, and many other items. This overloading exerts a lot of force on the roof rack and when it reaches its limits, it starts to dent or even put scratches on the car.
Therefore, even if you have a lot of items to put on, it’s highly suggested that you don’t cross the threshold limit of your roof rack. This damages the car and there are even chances that your luggage or baggage may fall over during long journeys.
So, if you find any item overloading the rack, always place it in some other place in the car, while keeping some space in your rack.
Get a Car Rack Awning
An awning can be a lifesaver! It simply extends the life span of your roof rack. This can protect your roof rack from solar radiation, UV rays, mud, dust, and even harsh weather conditions. That’s not all; an awning even provides adequate protection on camping and road trips, as it can easily withstand wear and tear.
Therefore, you should always ensure that you pick the most durable and all-weather-resistant roof awning to ensure the maximum security of your vehicle.
Bottom Line
Do roof racks damage your car? Yes, if mishandled, roof racks can cause damage, from scratches to dents. If you’re careful with regular inspection, use appropriately and avoid overloading, chances of damage are relatively low.
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